Yoga is a way of life, a holistic approach to health and well-being, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while leading the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York amid much fanfare, on Wednesday.
Yoga is a way to mindfulness in thoughts and actions, a way to live in harmony with self, with others and with nature, the PM said.
"Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy and happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'," Modi said, highlighting the theme of this year's International Yoga Day, 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
He observed that although Yoga comes from India and is a very old tradition, it is free from copyrights, patents and royalty payments. "Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal.”
Thanking the people for coming together to celebrate the event, the prime minister said, "I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga."
Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Iyengar yoga exponent Deidra Demens, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and prominent American singer Mary Millben were among the eminent personalities who joined Modi for the Yoga session.
